Love You Forever...

My dearest Remington,

You are becoming quite the gentleman. You continually say: "Thank you, Daddy" or "Thank you, Mommie" when either of us has done something for you. You say: "bless you" to me, Dad, or Maxwell Tiberius (Max, our Cocker Spaniel) when we cough or sneeze.

You love our cats and are starting to be very gentle towards them. Dojah MaShae even purred as you were petting him today (you used to pull his tail and pin him like a winning wrestler).

Tonight, you asked to "go night-night" and grabbed Mommies hand and started the night-time routine of saying goodnight to Max, the cats, Rambo the goldfish, and all the rooms of the house. You wanted to see Dad in "Daddy's bed" but then said "own bed" and we went to your room. You snuggled into your bed and fell fast asleep.

I can't believe you are growing up soo fast sweet boy. I hope you are always polite, kind, caring, and have good manners.

Like the mother in the book Love You Forever: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, and as long as I'm living my Baby you'll be."

I am proud of you and very besotted...what in the world did I ever do without your special personality in my life?

Love Forever and X Infinity,

Mommie.

Remington's 2nd Birthday, Part II...

Dear Reme, as I write and reflect about your birthday, I realize that despite being in the middle of a remodel at the cottage and having some of your birthday plans fall through, you had a very fun and special day. I hope that Daddy and I can always convey to you how special you are and give you birthdays that are amazing and full of love. After eating our Cold Stone ice cream cupcakes, which put us all in a state of ecstasy, you played and played and played...with your train book, with your Little People race cars, with your Master Chef Kitchen...you were a ball of energy for quite a long while, after which, we finally got you dressed in Gap Athlete jammies from Grandma Halverson and instead of winding down, you danced....

Your day was a success!!!

Since the 18th of March you have relished in the idea of a "Happy Birthday." You ask Mommie constantly about your "happy birthday cupcake" and you have developed the cutest habit of asking for something you want very badly in a way that includes "happy birthday." For instance, one afternoon you wanted cheese really badly so you said to me in a questioning way: "happy birthday cheese?" I couldn't help but give you the snack you requested...you asked for "happy birthday doughnut?," so we went to Macey's grocery store and got you your birthday doughnut (you are part of their kids club, and the company sent you a card for a birthday doughnut, which you must have heard me and Dad talk about because you knew right where to find your doughnut card...AMAZING that you are that in tube with adult conversation....).


I love that you are creative in your thought and that you pick up on things I had no idea you were ready for. That you understand the world in which you live in terms far exceeding your age -- you are a wonderful, most amazing, at times precocious little boy. You are loved and so many people adore you...


So, to many more years of "happy birthday cheese," "happy birthday doughnut" -- and many more wonderful happenings on your birthdays.

"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birtday dear Remington,
Happy Birthday to you...

And many more, 'til you're one-hundred-and-four...
Happy Birthday to you."

Love Forever and X Infinity,

Mommie.

Remington's 2nd Birthday...

Dearest Remington, I cannot believe I am the mother of a two year old! The days have just flown by as you have grown and matured...I have learned soo much being your Mommie and I am so glad we share this special journey. On the day you were born one of my good friends told me to remember that there would be times that would be frustrating because as I was learning to be a Mom, you were learning to be a little boy at the age and stage you were in. I am so grateful for this advice because it has made each of our days full of wonder. For me, each day is a day to be cherished -- all because you are in it.

On Saturday, March 17th, the day before your birthday, we called Grandma Halverson. You were so excited and sang her the sweetest rendition of "Happy Birthday To You" over the phone. Later that day Mommie picked up birthday cookies for you. My dear friend Crystal Burr, who is a Nurse at MWMC, made them. They were sugar cookies shaped like stars with a yummy mint frosting. She also made the cutest bear in honor of you, sweetheart...it seemed like you knew a celebration of HUGE proportions was going to occur, because you were so well behaved and went to bed like a gem.

The very next day, Sunday, March 18th, Daddy and I walked into your room and said "Good Morning Sunshine," which is our typical greeting but then we praised you for being two and sang "Happy Birthday." Afterwards Daddy fixed you a special pancake breakfast because we told you it was your special day. When we asked what you wanted you said: "pancake." You didn't eat much -- I think it was because you sensed the excitement that your Dad and I felt at you having a birthday!!!

We took you to McDonald's for lunch for a Happy Birthday Happy Meal...then you opened presents. You particularly liked helping Dad put your Master Chef Kitchen together and the Train book Aunt Joyce sent you. You also loved your ATV...after opening presents, we went to Cold Stone Creamery -- an ice cream/cake specialty shop. We got ice cream cup cakes for your birthday then went home to celebrate. Mommie put two candles on the cupcake you picked (a blue one) then Dad and I sang "Happy Birthday to Remington." You knew just what to do, which I am not exactly sure HOW because you haven't been around many who blew out candles on their cakes, and Mom didn't have a birthday cake with candles this year...but with your knowledge, you so steadily huffed on the candles and blew them out after Mommie said: "make a wish, Reme."

I am not sure what you wished for, but the smile on your face was priceless...I hope you have many priceless and treasured memories your whole entire life...

Love Forever and X Infinity,

Mommie.

My Darling Son, Remington, these pictures were taken March 12, 2012 -- 6 days before your 2nd birthday. I love how these turned out...a beautiful afternoon on the verge of Spring with Winter still lingering. It was romantic, but even better we were able to get together as a family, something that doesn't happen often at this point because Daddy and I work opposite schedules so we don't need a baby sitter or any hired child care. It was a day that incorporated hiking, running, and enjoying our immediate surroundings in Tooele, Utah. I love the picture whereby you start running after the bicyclist, run quite a ways, and then turn around as if to say: "are you coming, Mom?" It is a great reminder to me how important it is for me to obtain the gift of fitness, health, clean eating, and to pass along what I learn to you so you can stay fit and fabulous at any age. For "old ducks" your Dad and I aren't doing too bad!!!

In reviewing our pictures, I was reminded of the song: "Life is a Highway" -- here are the lyrics:

"Well, life is like a road that you travel on
There's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind.

There's a world outside every darkened door
Where Blues won't haunt you any more
For the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore.

We won't hesitate
To break down the guarding gate
There's not much time left today, yeay.

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

Through all these cities and all these towns
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights.

They knock me down
And back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
The road's so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors.

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, yeah

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

There was a distance between you and I
(between you and I)
A misunderstanding once
But now, we look it in the eye

Ooooo...Yeah!

There ain't no load that I can't hold
The road's so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long
If you're going my way, I want to drive it all night long.

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, yeah..."

This version performed by Rascal Flatts
Written by Tom Cochrane in 1991.